YORK City's 17-year-old midfielder Ben Godfrey is willing to bark out as well as receive orders following his promotion to the first team.

Former Archbishops Holgate pupil Godfrey made a confident debut in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Yeovil and the youth-team captain was also a vocal presence on the Bootham Crescent pitch despite being surrounded by senior pros, including fellow midfielders Russell Penn and James Berrett.

The leadership qualities of Godfrey, who skippered York under-13s to a historic English Schools FA Trophy at Stadium MK in 2011, have not been lost on City chief Russ Wilcox and the ex-Rawcliffe juniors' teenager said: "I learned a lot off the midfielders on Tuesday, but also from those behind me like Dave Winfield, Keith Lowey and Stephane Zubar.

"They all kept talking to me and helped me through the game. You've also got to show some leadership yourself in there as well and be confident in your ideas.

"I was told if something needed doing to tell the lads to get it done, because that's what was expected of me. I also got the chance to play against some decent teams in pre-season at home, so I knew what to expect out there."

Godfrey, who doesn't turn 18 until January, is not satisfied with just the one senior appearance either and is keen now to add to his maiden outing, explaining: "I've got a hunger for more now - absolutely.

"It's not my choice if I play or not but I want to get more chances to be out on the pitch with the first team. Tuesday night was really good.

"It was something I've thought about since I was a kid and I just thought to myself that I'm going to enjoy it and make the most of it. The manager took me into his office just before the team meeting on the night of the game to tell me I was in and I think that was the best way to do it.

"If he had told me the night before, I might not have got much sleep. I had a few nerves when I was told, which is a good thing, but I was mainly excited. I was told what I had to do and I was confident I could do that.

"I was pretty pleased with my performance and to top it off I got a hug from the manager when I was substituted, so I can't have been too bad."

One game, in particular, is in the sights of Godfrey who, having been used to playing at training grounds for City's under-18s, could find himself running out at Premier League Swansea's Liberty Stadium in the Capital One Cup next week.

"That would be unbelievable" he admitted. "I understand the other lads will want to be play there as well but, with me being so young, I can't think of anything better to be honest."

Godfrey, who had a spell with Middlesbrough's academy and a trial at Sheffield Wednesday in between two stints at City, was not even involved in last month's photo call, but always felt an opportunity could come his way this term, reasoning: "The squad picture is for pros and I'm not a pro.

"I wasn't expecting to be involved so soon and it's been a bit of a shock, but I was told to come back fit after the summer by Richard Cresswell and that there might be every chance of me featuring in the the squad."

Godfrey is the second player to graduate from the successful York Schoolboys U13 squad into the professional game following City team-mate Ben Hirst's break-through at the start of last season.

Others such as Richard de Groot, Matty Parker and Rob Cooney are also in the Minstermen's books, while Joey McCormick is with Doncaster and Liam Neal at Chesterfield.

On the prospect or more emulating the two Bens, Godfrey said: "I'm positive a few others will make it from that team as well.

"We were very lucky with that age group because there were a lot of talented footballers."